Happy Birthday, Mom.

I love my mom.

There's just nobody like her, anywhere. she has always been one of the most influencial people in my life... sometimes with her authority, but now with her friendship.

We joke that we are the same person, that one of us isn't necessary, that the only reason both of us exists is so that we may bless two separate generations with our presence. This is our joke.

And yet, I love that I remind others of her. My mom has always been a picture of confidence, grace, dignity, wisdom, and class. So can there be any greater compliment than for others to say I am simply a younger version of her?

My mom...

She is a walk in the park on a breezy afternoon.

She is a wonderful novel on a snowy evening.

She is the delighted voice on the other end of the phone line.

She is a night light, glowing brightly after a bad dream.

She is a newly revised dictionary.

She is the satin lining on my baby blanket.

She is my favorite dessert, made specially for me.

She is a stroll on the beach with the waves licking my toes.

She is my favorite song, arranged in the perfect key.

She is "You've Got Mail."

She is the predictability of my favorite children's book, consistent as the alphabet.

She is all of my favorite TV shows, in syndicated reruns.

She is a lullaby and a snooze button.

She is me.

She is my mom.

Happy birthday, Mom. I love being like you.